Day 123 – I’m Baaaaack

A little voice belonging to this blog has been calling to me softly for at least a couple of weeks now (and I can hear it loud and clear).  In my last post two months ago to the day, I was at the end of my rope with hearing loss in my left ear and faced with the possibility of never getting it back.  I felt I had to shut down everything around me besides motherly duties in order to focus my energy on the viral infection that had apparently taken hold of my inner ear and wasn’t eager to let go.

I am extremely happy to report that my hearing is back.  Completely.  Even the nose and throat specialist was surprised at my recovery.  I took the steroids she prescribed (not easy for me since I shy away from medicines other than naturopath-prescribed options when possible), visited the steam sauna at my gym three or four times a week, went for chiropractic adjustments to my ears and sinuses twice a week and ramped up on green juices and alkaline eating.  I also kept thinking positively.  I felt fearful but never let myself believe that my hearing was permanently gone.  Thankfully,  my body reacted to one or all of the above and now I hear my kids loud and clear again (and I am truly grateful even when the sounds are not as pleasant as I would like).

I never really wanted to stop this blog because it was giving me so much pleasure and the responses I had from readers were encouraging and made me feel like my sharing was having a positive impact.  I’ve decided there is no reason to leave that behind now that my health is in order.  I have mulled over the idea of allowing myself to skip posting some days based on how busy life can get and may do that as I pick up again.

I can’t wait to share with you some of the daily self kindness activities I’ve been engaged with, including brewing my own kombucha for the first time (If you don’t know what that is, stay tuned because I will be writing about it shortly or for eager minds check out the Wikipedia description), road tripping to my prairie roots in Saskatchewan with the kids, cleansing for 10 days and creating an online meditation course.  I’m so happy to be back at and with you all again.

Michelle

 

 

Day 108 – An End in Sight

Not one, but four prescriptions came out of my visit to the medical clinic today.  The ear pain hit in the middle of the night and I woke up with a fever so couldn’t wait for my naturopath appointment at 2pm and they couldn’t see me any earlier.

The clinic visit was surprisingly very pleasant – new offices just down the road and I only waited for twenty minutes before getting seen.  The cough I started with was likely viral but it seems I made it worse going on the camping trip and in my determination to not slow down, so that I also got a bacterial infection in my ears.

After poking around my ears and listening to my breathing, the young doctor determined there is fluid in my lungs, infection in both ears plus my elevated temperature.  Yikes.  I’ve never had antibiotics as an adult until today.  I also have an inhaler which I’ve never tried, Mucinex tablets (hate those commercials) and ear drops for the pain.  I literally passed out all afternoon and just now found some energy later in the day along with a normal temperature.  Unfortunately my ear is still blocked though with slightly less pain.

I am very grateful for the friends who helped me out with bringing Emelia home from school today and taking her to dance.  Another friend just finished a batch of kombucha so as soon as I am done with the medicine I will be sipping on the golden liquid in the glass bottle she gave me as a means to regenerate the healthy bacteria I want in my digestive system.  Yum.  Emelia rubbed my head and brought me a water bottle and Nicholas kept giving me hugs so I may not have been able to do wonders for my own self care today, but I had others taking care of me.  I see light now. Finally.

Day 95 – My Fake Kombucha

I’ve been sipping my “fake kombucha” now on a daily basis for over a month so thought I would share my secret recipe.  Da, da, da…

Kombucha if you have not heard of it before, is a fermented drink made from green or black tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast that is served cold and tastes like vinegar mixed with iced tea.  Not for everyone but I happen to like the sparkly, slightly sour taste.  There are health claims for the drink including improving liver and stomach function, immune system support and relief from insomnia.  You can buy bottles at Wholefoods and other stores in flavors such as Peach, Ginger and Lemonade for around $5 or if you’re brave make it yourself and grow the mushroom-like mother that is considered the source of the healing.  The health benefits have not been scientifically proven but people who drink it, swear by it.

As I said, I like it but I don’t like to buy small bottles for that much money and the fermentation process is not on my “to try” list at the moment.  I did come up with something like kombucha that I can make at home quickly, easily and has similar health benefits though.  I am referring to Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with a sparkling mineral water.

I like the idea of starting and ending my day with a cleansing drink and have tried baking soda in water and fresh lemon juice in water over the years.  I love the lemon juice but never stick with it on a daily basis. I make it once or twice a week and go to town but not as often as I would like.  The baking soda mixture was just too plain icky.  I’d pucker up and drink it with a sour look on my face then feel something like heartburn for an hour after.  I decided to keep my baking soda for cleaning the house instead of my body.  Lemon, baking soda and apple cider vinegar are considered alkalizing – meaning they reduce the acids and inflammation brought on from standard North American diets in our body.  This is standard belief and widely accepted so I was happy to try it.

Apple cider vinegar like Kombucha is fermented and tart tasting.  I love the Bragg organic, raw and unfiltered bottles where you can see the mother floating around.  I was drinking it in filtered water when the idea to combine it with sparkling water hit me and I haven’t looked back. I now look forward to my “fake kombucha” drink and have it at least once a day.  I generally mix one – two tablespoons in a drinking glass and sip away.  Try it if you dare.